Caminiti - Steroid use is common

Ken Caminiti, the National League's Most Valuable Player in 1996, says he won the award while on steroids and that at least half of major leaguers use the drugs.

In a Sports Illustrated report on steroids in baseball, Caminiti confirmed he used them the season he batted a career-high .326 with 40 home runs and 130 runs batted in.

"I've made a ton of mistakes," said Caminiti, a recovering alcoholic and former drug user whose 15-year career ended last season. Caminiti played for both the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers. "I don't think using steroids is one of them.

"It's no secret what's going on in baseball. At least half the guys are using steroids. They talk about it. They joke about it with each other."

The NFL and NBA prohibit steroids and test for them. A ban in baseball would have to be collectively bargained with the Players Association.

"No one denies that it is a problem," commissioner Bud Selig said. "It's a problem we can and must deal with now. ... I'm very worried about this."

-- AP